Shire Breu-Hous

I wanted to take a leisurely drive Friday afternoon that would ideally end at a new brewpub I’d never visited, and I ran across this place in Dalton MA. The entrance is somewhat hidden, but once inside, everyone was very friendly and it was a very congenial spot for being essentially in the basement of an old warehouse.

Their beer list was surprisingly large considering they’ve only been in business for a couple of years (if I remember correctly), and with a pleasant variety of styles (i.e. not hop-heavy).

I started, as I often like to do these days, with a flight, although it was honestly a bit difficult to choose just four. Left to right, these are the Three-Side Paper (definitely funky, but tasty), the Policeman’s Porter (just about a perfect porter, for my taste!), the Sequential Harmonics (truly, a “suck on a lemon” kind of sour), and the Just Another Bald Man (a truly splendid and refreshing Pilsner).

Of the four, the Pilsner and the porter were the clear winners for my palate.

Along with an excellent burger with spicy baked beans on the side, I enjoyed a pint of the Byron Weston Berliner Weiße with Elderberry (interesting and pleasant, but I’d prefer this style on a much hotter day) and the 12oz pour of their Colanthe Mooie. And wow, but that was a truly impressive milk stout! If I had not (a) had to drive a good distance to get back home and (b) been stuffed already, I would have dearly loved to have another glass of that one!

All in all, I enjoyed the visit and the drive, and will look forward to returning again sometime when I’m in that part of the state.